Current Indian Science - Volume 3, Issue 1, 2025

Floating drug delivery systems are significant for gastric retention characteristics and improving the absorption and bioavailability of drugs. Several polymers have been used in such systems as drug carriers. Biopolymers, including alginate, chitosan, guar gum, and gelatin obtained from plant or animal sources have also been applied in such systems. Such biopolymers are biocompatible and biodegradable and provide suitable characteristics for swelling and hydrogel formation. The present review summarizes several biopolymers used in floating drug delivery including their sources, structure, and recent research studies for gastric retention.

Heavy metal contamination in soil and water poses a severe global environmental challenge, particularly in rapidly industrialized regions. While conventional remediation methods exist, their widespread implementation is hindered by high costs, time-intensive processes, and complex technical requirements. This review aimed to explore an innovative approach combining phytoremediation with green-synthesized selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) for enhancing heavy metal removal. Our analysis revealed that plants treated with green-synthesized Se-NPs exhibited more efficient uptake of heavy metals compared to traditional phytoremediation alone. Some key advantages include enhanced metal accumulation capacity, increased plant biomass production, and improved stress tolerance. The green synthesis of Se-NPs, primarily using plant extracts and biological materials, offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to chemical and physical synthesis methods. These biogenic Se-NPs exhibit dual benefits: promoting plant growth and remediation efficiency while demonstrating valuable biological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Our findings demonstrated that the integrated approach achieved 40–60% greater heavy metal removal compared to conventional methods while also reducing treatment costs by approximately 30%. The review also identified promising applications in large-scale soil restoration projects and agricultural land rehabilitation, suggesting a practical pathway for sustainable environmental remediation.

Dermatophytes typically cause onychomycosis, which accounts for 50% of all nail diseases. Although formerly thought to be a cosmetic issue, it has recently gained attention because of its chronic nature and challenging treatment with relapses. Due to the lengthy treatment period and high expense associated with treating onychomycosis, numerous attempts have been made to overcome the hard nail barrier. Oral and topical medications are traditional treatments for onychomycosis. Despite their effectiveness, oral antifungal medications have hepatotoxic effects and can be mixed with other medications. Topical therapy improves patient compliance because it has no negative side effects. However, improper nail penetration poses a problem. Therefore, the goal of enhancing topical administration to effectively treat onychomycosis has been pursued for decades. Despite all efforts, issues with nail delivery have not been much closer to being resolved. Recently, the focus has shifted to novel drug delivery technologies, such as polymeric films, metallic nanoparticles, microemulsions, and nail lacquers, to enhance drug penetration and localized therapy. A global study is investigating their potential as efficacious treatment modalities. Thus, the goal of this review is to learn about innovative delivery methods for the treatment of onychomycosis, a persistent fungal disease.

Genus Citrus, with a handful of the most extensively grown fruit crops in the world, is home to an unknown number of plant species. Since they are very perishable, many neglected citrus varietals are yet unexplored. Citrus pseudolimon Tan., sometimes known as Hill Lemon, is a lesser-known citrus species with relatively little research available on it when compared to other prominent citrus cultivars. To the best of our knowledge and search, there is no review article available detailing the in-depth phyto-pharmacological aspects of this plant with respect to its volatile and non-volatile contents. This review provides a thorough overview of this plant species with respect to the published material that is currently accessible. The current effort focuses on a thorough meta-analysis of the scientific literature and the most recent research updates that are currently accessible. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, which are intended for systematic review writing, 481 publications were screened for material relevant to the chosen plant species. An effort has been made to compile the pertinent data about its pharmacological and phytochemical features.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a complex type of brain damage caused by external factors. Depression is one of the major comorbidities that follow, making things more difficult for patients and caregivers. Post-traumatic depression is a serious condition that can increase rates of death and morbidity, especially as it gets worse. Though constant discussion exists about the best ways to treat the condition, a conclusive answer is still out of reach. Interestingly, traditional non-pharmacological treatments that have been used for a long time to treat a wide range of illnesses have just returned to prominence because they may be able to help prevent, treat, and even cure several mental conditions. Among these, yoga stands out as a particularly effective means of enhancing focus, which in turn supports mental health, productivity, and general well-being while reducing thoughts of suicide. Moreover, the technique exhibits a noticeable impact on the control of neurohumoral transmissions, which presents a possible treatment option for post-traumatic depression. This study explores in great detail the complex pathological relationship between traumatic brain injury and depression indicators, highlighting the critical role that yoga plays in the treatment of post-traumatic depression.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a disorder that is on the rise, affects about 20% of people globally, including children. It is believed that immunological inadequacies, pathogenic microorganisms, the environment, and anomalies in the function of the epidermal barrier interact intricately with the pathophysiology of AD. Studies on the impact of oxidative stress on many skin conditions have been carried out, but there aren’t many on AD. Topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors are among the available drugs; nonetheless, they cause burning sensations, skin atrophy, and systemic side effects that hinder patient adherence. These limitations emphasize how important it is to have a fresh approach to AD management. Inflammation, the biological reaction of the immune system, can be caused by a number of factors, such as pathogens, damaged cells, and poisonous substances. Herbal anti-inflammatory medications and their ingredients offer strong defence against a range of pro-inflammatory mediators in illnesses and conditions.

Due to their ability to protect, encapsulate, and discharge the cargo at the location of skin damage. Nanomaterials have attracted a lot of interest as a way to provide medications for skin conditions like AD. However, many unanswered questions remain, particularly when creating safe formulations and translating proven nanomedicines into usable products for clinical use. Lipidic, polymeric, metal, silica, liposomes, hydrocarbon gels, and many other formulations have been developed as carriers for poorly soluble and permeable pharmaceuticals. This field is still developing. This review aims to shed light on incidents linked to the pathophysiology of AD and the difficulties facing current AD treatments. The review emphasizes the advantages of different nanomedicines in resolving problems with existing products and their possible prospects for the future.

The excessive exploitation of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial illnesses has resulted in the emergence of several strains that are resistant to different drugs. Due to the widespread occurrence of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of bacterial strains that are resistant to various drugs, significant efforts are being made to identify appropriate alternative medicines to combat harmful microorganisms. Given the observed link between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, recent efforts have been directed towards a promising strategy that aims to control and prevent biofilm formation. This strategy involves targeting and inhibiting the quorum sensing system, which has been extensively shown to play a central role in biofilm formation. The conventional approach to controlling infectious disorders involves the use of substances that are designed to either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses a significant challenge to public health. This therapeutic target has been extensively explored globally. However, the scientific data on it are not up-to-date, and only recent studies have begun to explore its potential as a target for combating infectious diseases. An important issue with this strategy is the commonly observed emergence of resistance to antimicrobial agents. This paper aimed to present a comprehensive overview of the quorum sensing system in bacteria, focusing on its role in biofilm formation and the development of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, it provides an update on the significance of targeting this system with natural substances for therapeutic purposes.

The field of public healthcare has witnessed a transformative shift with the introduction of synthetic biomaterials and biomedical implants, aiming to enhance the interaction between living systems and therapeutic interventions. Despite these advancements, a significant challenge has emerged in the form of microbial colonization and biofilm formation on these materials, leading to an alarming rise in multidrug-resistant infections and subsequent implant rejections. In this review, we present recent breakthroughs in the development of anti-infective biomaterials designed to address wound infections and prevent infections associated with implants. We present various approaches for incorporating antimicrobial properties into diverse wound healing biomaterials such as hydrogels and hemostatic sponges, through covalent and non-covalent modifications or both. Additionally, to counter microbial colonization, we explore different surface modification strategies applied to titanium and catheter implants via covalent grafting as well as physical encapsulation of antibiotics, small molecular biocides, inorganic biocides and antimicrobial peptides. These coatings not only exhibit bacteria-killing capabilities upon contact but also effectively reduce biofilm formation, thereby prolonging the lifespan of implants and devices. Providing an overview of anti-infective biomaterials in clinical pipelines, we discuss the significant challenges hindering the clinical translation of these biomaterials. Finally, we share our perspective on overcoming these obstacles for the successful integration of anti-infective biomaterials into mainstream healthcare practices.

Cognition is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the brain and its processes, which include the intelligence and behaviour of living beings. Humans are generally equipped with a capacity for cognitive function at birth, but some conditions, such as infection and oxidative stress, lead to impaired cognition. Herbal drugs/phytochemicals are utilized in order to get better cognitive functions and alleviate symptoms associated with impaired cognition function. Yet, there still remains no complete cure for cognitive dysfunction, with most current treatments offering symptomatic relief. This has prompted us to review the importance of phytochemicals and the mechanism by which they may augment cognitive functions. For the present review, a comprehensive literature search was conducted by referring to the research and review articles published by authentic journals and available on web databases. Indeed, numerous plant-based drugs have traditionally been used to combat learning and memory-associated deficits, but many available drugs are potentially toxic alkaloidal cholinesterase inhibitors. Findings by various researchers exhibited that many plant-based drugs act through a different mechanisms, such as inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), activation of antioxidant defence, and augmenting the blood flow to the brain. The aim of the present review is to highlight the importance of phytochemicals in the modulation of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathways (CAP) in neurodegenerative disease. For this, available literature was critically analysed. Through a comprehensive review of the recent research findings, this article concludes that medicinal plants serve as reservoirs of various successful drugs for cognition improvement, which belong to different classes of secondary metabolites. We also observe that phytochemicals can modulate cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathways (CAP) in neurodegenerative disease, although the mechanism of action of most natural/herbal extracts and their compounds is not yet fully explored.

Mitapivat (AG-348) is a novel, first-in-class oral small-molecule allosteric activator of the pyruvate kinase enzyme. Mitapivat has been shown to significantly upregulate both wild-type and numerous mutant forms of erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PKR), increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and reducing levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. Given this mechanism, mitapivat has been evaluated in clinical trials in a wide range of hereditary hemolytic anaemias, including pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), sickle cell disease, and thalassemia.

The technique entails searching numerous search engines, such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Sci Finder, for relevant citations to the current subject matter. This is done in order to obtain the data that is required. In relation to medicine, mitapivat has been examined for its ability to cure a wide variety of inherited haemolytic anaemias in clinical investigations. Some examples of these conditions include pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), sickle cell disease, and thalassemias.

It has been demonstrated that mitapivat is both safe and effective in treating adults with PKD in two phases III clinical trials, and the development of the medicine is very close to being finished. Based on these findings, mitapivat may end up becoming the very first medication in the history of the world to receive regulatory approval.

Allosteric activator of pyruvate kinase mitapivat has shown promise in treating various hereditary hemolytic anemias, including sickle cell disease, PKD, and alpha- and beta-thalassemia.